River & Village

Acheron (gre. Ἀχέρων/ lat. Styx) is a 58 km long river starting near Ioannina, Epirus region. It flows into the Ionian Sea in Ammoudia, near Parga.

In Greek mythology Acheron was known as the river of Underworld. The souls of the newly dead were carried to the Underworld by Hades' ferryman Charon. Of course you had to pay Charos two coins to get there and if you couldn't afford it, your soul was left to the banks of the river.

Acheron also flows through the Necromantion, where the very famous and popular oracle of Necromantion could talk to the dead. The ruins of Necromantion still exists.

A village called Glyki lies at the bottom of the valley, where part of the river comes down from the mountains through a canyon. This is the place where the most Springs of Acheron are. Above the canyon is Souli's Castle where a war between Greeks and Turks were taken place.

Acheron river has been acknowledged by its strange energy that attracts spiritual people of all kind. There are many stories of a strange healing power that lies beyond the surface of the clear water. It was believed that Acheron had miraculous powers and could make someone invulnerable. According to one tradition, Achilles was dipped in it in his childhood, acquiring invulnerability, with exception of his heel, by which his mother held him. This is the source of the expression Achilles' heel, a metaphor for a vulnerable spot.

The nature around the river is very rich with flora and fauna and it is protected by EU's Natura 2000 program.